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Warm send-off for Olympic-bound Kaetlyn Osmond

Two-time Canadian champion Kaetlyn Osmond (centre), who will represent Canada as a member of the 2014 Canadian Olympic Figure Skating Team, is given gifts at a send-off event in Edmonton on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. (Codie McLachlan/QMI Agency)

EDMONTON - Fans, friends and family packed the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall on Thursday to catch their last glimpse of young figure skating phenom Kaetlyn Osmond before she competes at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The 18-year-old Sherwood Park, Alta., resident took time to share her exhibition program and deliver a parting message to her fans.

“I know I have so much support from my family and my friends but to see the whole club like this and to see all these people show up, it really feels like I’m part of something big,” said Osmond.

Osmond leaves for Sochi on Sunday and while the excitement and pressure of competing at the world’s largest stage is evident, Osmond knows she needs to maintain a balanced approach if she is to find herself atop the podium.